Mercedes-Benz's third-generation W176 A-Class has been with us for four years now since its 2012 debut. In spite of its relatively fresh looks out on the road, it’s begun to show its age in other ways, and the marque is readying a successor.
By early indications, it Merc hatch appears to have gained a sleeker body and a more proportioned rear end, though we’ll have to wait for the official unveil next year to know anything for sure. The video below doesn’t do much to hide the car’s silhouette, pointing to a larger overall body.
Its sportier stance may be down to this particular test unit being an AMG-fettled variant, but it’s difficult to be sure given the layers upon layers of camouflage Benz has furnished it with before letting it out into the open.
Just like the current version, however, the next A-Class range should be predominantly front-driven and powered by a selection of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines with all-wheel drive reserved for the hot AMG breeds.
Speaking of which, it has been rumoured that Mercedes-Benz will choose to release more than one AMG version, with a tweaked nomenclature more reflective of the rest of their cars; A40 kick off the performance line followed by the A43 featuring close to 298kW sent to four contact points.
Perhaps they’re also aiming for the Golf GTI market with the entry-model AMG A-Class. Volkswagen, meanwhile, are on the verge of unveiling a Mk8 Golf at this time of writing.
Clearly BMW’s next 1 Series and Audi’s upcoming A3 will have to be at least a bit special to have some distance between the German premium compact offerings.
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